Additional Coverage:
- Countries are tracking Russia’s shadow fleet using AI after suspected attacks on undersea cables (newsbreak.com)
AI Tracks Russia’s Shadow Fleet to Protect Undersea Cables
In response to recent damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea, a UK-led coalition of European countries has launched an operation using artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor Russia’s shadow fleet.
The operation, named Nordic Warden, analyzes data from various sources, including ship location systems. If a potential threat is detected, the system will issue an alert to NATO allies and participating countries.
The damage to undersea cables has raised concerns about sabotage. Finnish officials believe a Russian-linked tanker, the Eagle S, may have dragged its anchor to cut cables.
AI Enhances Monitoring Capabilities
AI allows the coalition to monitor vast sea areas with limited resources. It identifies suspicious ships among legitimate commercial activity.
Protecting Critical Infrastructure
The operation aims to protect critical infrastructure, including data and power cables. Russia’s shadow fleet, used for oil export revenues, cannot afford to lose ships in sabotage attempts. Finland’s recent seizure of a Russian-linked vessel reinforces this point.